basically wrote my question in the subject. i have a 99 gle. strut tower bolts are gold in color with circular nubs. I even tried fitting my 21mm socket and it wouldn't go. Did someone replace these with different bolts when replacing the struts? or do you other 99-ers have the same kind

If they're the ones that look like lug nuts...they might have been replaced. Try 22mm, 23mm......

iirc, '99s are 22mm nuts for the strut tower brace. (stock)

thanks guys.